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Histology 2 > Female Reproductive System > Flashcards

Female Reproductive System Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the two roles of the ovaries

A
  1. Produce gametes (oogenesis)

2. Produce steroids (oestrogens and progestogens)

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2
Q

Describe the medulla of the ovary

A

Forms the core of the organ and contains loose connective tissue, contorted arteries, veins and lymphatics

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3
Q

Describe the cortex of the ovary

A

Scattered ovarian follicles in a highly cellular connective tissue stroma

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4
Q

What layer covers the tunica albuginea

A

Germinal epithelium; flat simple squamous layer

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5
Q

What layer covers the tunica albuginea

A

Germinal epithelium; simple squamous layer

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6
Q

Describe the process by which oogonia are formed

A

Week 6 gestation germ cells from the yolk sac invade the ovaries; proliferate by mitosis to form oogonia

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7
Q

How are mature oocytes formed

A

Oogonia undergo development and division via meiosis (also termed ova)

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8
Q

What is oogenesis

A

The development of oocytes, the female germ cells, from oogonia

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9
Q

What is folliculogenesis

A

The growth of the follicle, which consists of the oocyte and any associated support cells

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10
Q

At what stage are there the most oogonia present in a females ovaries

A

7 months in utereo - around 5 million oogonia

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11
Q

What is atresia

A

An apoptosis-based process resulting in the loss of oogonia and oocytes

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12
Q

Name the 3 different types of follicle

A
  1. Primordial follicles
  2. Growing follicles (primary and secondary)
  3. Mature or Graafian follicles
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13
Q

Before birth, at what stage of meiosis does development halt in the follicles of the ovary

A

Prophase 1; many follicles will remain in this state for several decades

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14
Q

In a 20-year-old how many follicles will restart development a day

A

Around 15; drops to around 1 a day in a 40-year-old

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15
Q

What happens to a follicle if it fails to associate with pregranulosa cells

A

It will die

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16
Q

Describe the pregranulosa cells of a primordial follicle

A

Simple squamous granulosa cells

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17
Q

Describe the pregranulosa cells of a primary follicle

A

Cuboidal granulosa cells: zona granulosa

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18
Q

What happens as the oocyte enlarges during the primary follicle stage

A

A layer of special extracellular matrix, the zona pellucida, begins to form between the oocyte and the granulosa cells

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19
Q

Within a late primary follicle, what change happens to the adjacent stromal cells

A

They undergo an epitheloid transformation and go on to form the theca interna

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20
Q

What happens to the theca interna, and what does it produce and secrete

A

It becomes vascularised and secretes oestrogen precursors

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21
Q

What do the outer layers of the late primary follicle form

A

They remain fibroblast-like and form the theca externa

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22
Q

What does the granulosa cell layer begin expressing during the late primary follicle stage

A

Expressing receptors for the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

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23
Q

What do the theca interna cells express during the late primary follicle stage

A

Receptors for luteinising hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary

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24
Q

When can it be said that a secondary follicle has formed

A

When a space called the antrum has formed

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25
Q

What is the antrum filled with

A

Follicular fluid

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26
Q

How big can the largest antral follicle get

A

About 20mm in diameter

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27
Q

What is the cumulus oophorus

A

The ‘mound’ of cells extending from the wall of the follicle and surrounding the oocyte

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28
Q

What happens in the mature Graafian follicle prior to ovulation

A

The oocyte and a halo of surrounding cells (corona radiata) will separate from the rest of the lining granulosa cells

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29
Q

What happens to the largest Graafian follicle prior to ovulation

A

The oocyte will complete meiosis I, producing the secondary oocyte and the tiny polar body

30
Q

What is the purpose of the tiny polar body

A

It takes the second nucleus away to degenerate

31
Q

After the polar body has degenerated the second nucleus what happens to the secondary oocyte

A

It continues meiosis but halts at metaphase II

32
Q

When will the secondary oocyte complete meiosis and form a fully mature oocyte

A

Only when it has been released from the ovary and fertilised by a sperm; producing a second polar body

33
Q

Where does the secondary oocyte burst out from the ovary

A

At the follicular stigma

34
Q

After ovulation, what does the follicle transform into

A

A corpus luteum containing:

  1. Theca lutein cells
  2. Granulosa lutein cells
35
Q

If implantation does not occur, what does the corpus luteum become

A

A white coloured connective tissue called the corpus albicans

36
Q

Name the parts of the uterine tube (from the ovaries)

A
  1. Infundibulum
  2. Ampulla
  3. Isthmus
  4. Uterine part
37
Q

Where does fertilisation normally occur

A

Within the ampulla

38
Q

Describe the mucosa of the ampulla

A

Folded and lined with ciliated cells and secretory cells (peg cells)

39
Q

How many layers of smooth muscle exist in the ampulla, and the isthmus

A 
Ampulla = 2 layers
Isthmus = 3 layers
40
Q

Describe the lining epithelium of the isthmus

A

Mostly secretory with few ciliated cells

41
Q

Name the layers of the uterus (inner to outer)

A
  1. Endometrium
  2. Myometrium
  3. Perimetrium
42
Q

Describe the layers of the uterus

A 
Endometrium = inner secretory mucosa (shed during menstruation)
Myometrium = 3 layers of smooth muscle, combined with collagen and elastic tissue
Perimetrium = outer visceral covering of loose connective tissue covered by mesothelium
43
Q

Name the 2 layers of the endometrium

A
  1. Stratum functionalis (monthly growth, degeneration, and loss)
  2. Stratum basalis (reserve tissue that regenerates the functionalis)
44
Q

Describe the lining of the glands within the endometrium

A

They are lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium

45
Q

When does the proliferation phase of the endometrium last until

A

Around 1 day after ovulation

46
Q

During the secretory phase, what do the glands of the endometrium secrete

A

They secrete glycogen

47
Q

What is the cervix

A

A short cylinder with a small lumen that projects into the upper vagina

48
Q

Describe the structure and lining of the cervix

A

Fibrous connective tissue covered with:

  1. Stratified squamous epithelium on its vaginal surface
  2. Mucous secreting simple columnar epithelium closer to the uterus
49
Q

What is the epithelial transition zone in the cervix called

A

The squamocolumnar junction: common site of cervical cancer

50
Q

What glands exist in the mucous secreting epithelium of the cervix

A

The endocervical glands

51
Q

If the endocervical glands become blocked, what happens

A

They expand with secretions forming a Nabothian cyst

52
Q

Name the 4 layers of the vagina

A
  1. Non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
  2. Lamina propria of connective tissue rich in elastic fibres
  3. Fibromuscular layer (inner circular,m outer longitudinal)
  4. Adventitia
53
Q

How is the vagina lubricated

A
  1. Mucous from cervical glands

2. Fluid from thin-walled blood vessels of the vaginal lamina propria

54
Q

How is the growth of pathogenic bacteria inhibited in the vagina

A

Commensal bacteria metabolise the glycogen to lactic acid

55
Q

Describe the mons pubis

A

Skin which overlies a substantial subcutaneous fat pad, which itself overlies the pubic symphysis

56
Q

What is the labia majora

A

Extensions of the mons pubis, with a similar structure

57
Q

What glands exist in the labia major

A
  1. Apocrine sweat glands

2. Sebaceous glands

58
Q

Describe the labia minora

A

Thin skin folds that lack subcutaneous fat and hair follicles

59
Q

Where does keratinised epithelium extend to in the vagina

A

To the level of the hymen, where there is a transition to non-keratinised squamous epithelium

60
Q

Name the two tubes of erectile tissue that exist in the clitoris

A

Corpora cavernosa

61
Q

How many lobes make up the secretory tissue of the breast

A

Around 15-25: series of ducts drain to the nipples

62
Q

What are the suspensory ligaments

A

Large condensations that extend from the dermis of the skin to the deep fascia overlying the muscle of the anterior chest wall

63
Q

What is the basic functional secretory unit of the breast

A

The terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU)

64
Q

Describe the duct system in the non-lactating breast

A

Terminal ductules -> intralobular collecting duct -> lactiferous duct (lactiferous sinus) -> nipple

65
Q

What structure allows for the rapid expansion of the breast tissue during pregnancy

A

Loose connective tissue surrounding the acini within the lobule

66
Q

What are secretory cells of the acinus in the breast surrounded by

A

Myoepithelial cells (contractile epithelial cells)

67
Q

Describe the covering of the nipple

A

Highly pigmented, keratinised stratified squamous epithelium

68
Q

Describe the structure of the nipple

A

A core of dense irregular connective tissue mixed with bundles of smooth muscle

69
Q

During pregnancy, what do oestrogen and progesterone stimulate in the breast

A

Proliferation of secretory tissue and fibro-fatty tissue becomes sparse

70
Q

Describe, approximately, the composition of human milk

A 
Water = 88%
Carbohydrate = 7% (mainly lactose)
Protein = 1.5% (mainly lactalbumin and casein)
Lipid = 3.5%
71
Q

Name the 2 different types of secretion in the breast

A
  1. Apocrine

2. Merocrine

Histology 2 (9 decks)

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